Living a Responsible Life
Living a responsible life is the desire of many individuals. The essential elements making up the life of a human being are authenticity, virtue, and discernment. Success in one’s life may at times require tolerance to external pressures. It entails losing close friends and incorporating others that value your life morals and principles. Authenticity may mean a different thing to different individuals. The difference only comes due to different personalities and perceptions over life matters that can even be culture-bound (Moberly, 2015). Having born and brought up in Christianity, I commit my life to help others. I am committed to withstanding external pressures which may interfere with my code of living. At times living a comfortable life requires external interference that demand conformity to perceptions and values.
The Story of "The Martyrdom of Perpetua"
The story of “The Martyrdom of Perpetua” has been inspiring and guiding my life from a young age. Perpetua was determined and willing to sacrifice her life for her faith even if it meant going against the wishes of his father (Winston, 2018). Life is full of interference, and at times people values and life discernment are guided by majority perceptions and views (Moberly, 2015). People seek recognition from the surrounding peers even if it means doing what’s wrong. I plan to be unique in my life standing up for the truth. Perpetua made stubborn life choices to declare her religion, making her die for the sake of future generations.
Virtues and Authenticity
Virtues are build and developed as one grows. Authenticity is affected by the surrounding cultures, religions, media, among other factors (Roochnik, 2016). Becoming a true oneself is essential. Pressures may ruin well-developed virtues. People develop opinions in life depending on the judgments held by others. In my present and the future life, I believe that discernment does not mean solving problems all making decisions. Discernment entails living a life that moves towards authenticity. Self-awareness makes us understand our strengths and limitations (Winston, 2018). Our deepest personal desire should be aligned towards doing what’s right. It is vital always to be ethical and morally upright.
The Cost of Discernment
Discernment does not exist without costs. It takes a lot of effort and time to understand the inner self. It is a continuous process from childhood to adulthood. The development process is affected by the surrounding. Authenticity requires strong morals and principles which must be practiced in everyday life (Winston, 2018). Virtues are just useless unless tested through real-life practice. Developing self-awareness is a transition suffering and prison-like detainment to freeing our morals and withstanding terrifying moments. As a people’s servant, I commit my entire life to eliminate obstacles to the image of the Supreme Being. It is the only way towards discernment. Removing life obstacles makes one an authentic being living a comfortable life to achieve God's purpose. Love for oneself, others, and God is the way to Christianity. Love eats up our fears. Enduring life sufferings leads to life eternal.
Achieving Life Satisfaction
I achieve life satisfaction on spending quality time with people in the society discerning the will and the voice of God. I have inspired many Christians and non-Christians to live a spiritual life. People require guidance to handle life crisis and problems in education, religion, career, and all other aspects of life (Moberly, 2015). Asking for God intervention is essential. The light of the Holy Spirit guides my actions and behavior in marriage, career, and education. Living a responsible life which transforms the lives of others is my desire.
The Building Blocks of Discernment
The building blocks of discernment are diverse to different people. There are general principles that help a person to identify the kind of judgment that one has. The principles are applied jointly, and these standards guide my life. The first principle is the state of life. People vary in life aspects as some are poor others rich. It is not by fate that a person is in the life status. An identify a clear life status helps one determine the cause of discerning. A person in priesthood status is not required to accept a call requesting him to marry a pretty girl in the society (Winston, 2018). Such kind of discernment is an obstacle which the priest must eliminate. Discernment requires morals of evaluation of what is morally right and wrong. Again, morals here may not mean what I right according to the majority but what is correct regarding personal life status and values.
Gifts and Talents
The other important principle of discernment is gifts and talents. People have varying combinations of talents, skills, virtues, and gifts. The elements determine the will to decide what’s right or wrong. Before accepting an offer or opportunity, it is critical to determine if the choice makes sense depending on one’s virtues, skills, and talents (Roochnik, 2016). God gifts are different from one person to another. I am talented in preaching to the teenagers and not adults. Another person is gifted in teaching adults. A call to preach to the adults while there is an opportunity to preach to the teenagers is not ethical. The discernment is questionable, and it may not be sound.
Conformity to Scripture and Tradition
The principle of conformity to scripture and tradition guides my daily life. The policy of discernment requires the incorporation of the Word of God, the culture, and the teachings of the church. All religion follows instructions that guide them in solving life problems (Winston, 2018). It is through the teachings that people realize their life meaning (Winston, 2018). Scriptures serve as the basis for judging life outcomes. The common belief in the life of Christians is that life actions square with God’s scriptures and the teachings of the church. The church cements our virtues and authenticity. The scriptures create Gods revelation in discernment.
The Art of Discernment
Discernment is an art. It is a skill that can be learned through practice and not just by reading the Holy Scriptures. Authenticity, virtues, and morals are the building elements of discernment. Well-developed virtues and morals create a strong perception in one life. Over my life, I have developed strong values that help me live a good life in accordance to the God’s teachings. Discernment is possible through cultivating the desire to do God's will and having a solid knowledge of the church teachings. Prayer is essential in the process of discernment (Winston, 2018). Discernment requires courage, humility, respect, and love for others. Through prayer, the voice of God speaks to Christians, and thus, enabling decision making and solving life problems. Over my life and career, I am committed to serving others and administering the word of God. Discernment is a skill that requires a cognitive understanding of the scriptures, love, and developing virtues. What discernment entails is not all about making rational decisions. It is a skill that permeates people’s perceptions of life.
References
Moberly, R. W. (2015). Micaiah ben Imlah: the costs of authenticity and discernment. Prophecy and Discernment, 100-129. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511720192.004
Roochnik, D. (2016). Virtues of Authenticity: Essays on Plato and Socrates (review). Philosophy and Literature, 24(2), 494-496. doi:10.1353/phl.2000.0045
Winston, B. E. (2018). Discerning Discernment in People. Biblical Principles of Hiring and Developing Employees, 107-110. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-70527-9_5
